The Parliament on Thursday passed the Muslim Women (Protection of Rights on Marriage) Bill, 2018, commonly known as the triple talaq bill with 245 ayes as opposed to 11 noes. The house was adjourned till Friday.

19:07 (IST)

Asaduddin Owaisi's amendments rejected in Parliament

AIMIM leader Asaduddin Owaisi amendments were rejected in the Parliament while amendments insisted by Adhir Ranjan Choudhury was not taken up since he was not present. NK Premachandran moved an amendment to increase the fine to Rs.10,000.

19:07 (IST)

Asaduddin Owaisi's amendments rejected in Parliament

AIMIM leader Asaduddin Owaisi amendments were rejected in the Parliament while amendments insisted by Adhir Ranjan Choudhury was not taken up since he was not present. NK Premachandran moved an amendment to increase the fine to Rs.10,000.

18:50 (IST)

Motion adopted for consideration with 238 ayes, 12 noes

With 238 ayes 238 and 12 noes, the triple talaq bill motion was adopted for consideration. Now, the voting for clause by clause consideration to be adopted is underway in the Parliament.

18:43 (IST)

Congress, AIADMK stage walkout; Parliament lobbies cleared for voting

Congress leader Mallikarjun Kharge said that his party is staging a walkout from the Parliament amid the triple talaq bill debate. AIADMK floor leader also endorsed his views and staged a walkout. Thereafter, Speaker Sumitra Mahajan ordered for the lobbies to be cleared for voting on the motion.

Congress MP Mallikarjun Kharge said that the triple talaq bill is "divisive, discriminatory, unconstitutional and against the Muslim personal law" as he reiterated his demand for sending the Bill to a Joint Select Committee.

18:25 (IST)

'Deterrence important to bring change in social practices,' says Ravi Shankar Prasad

"BJP boasts of many women ministers at top positions such as external affairs minister Sushma Swaraj and defence minister Nirmala Sitharaman. Women empowerment is not a political issue for our party... Deterrence is always important to bring change in the society," said Ravi Shankar Prasad.

Ravi Shankar Prasad asked that, "If Dowry law can be passed, why not Triple Talaq Bill. Prasad told the Lok Sabha that the bill has made the offence compoundable, meaning that the case can be withdrawn if the man and his estranged wife reach a compromise and that only the wife and her close relatives can file an FIR, ruling out the scope for any misuse.

18:14 (IST)

'What is wrong in Islam, how can it be right in law,' asks law minister Ravi Shankar Prasad

Everyone in the Parliament is opposing triple talaq yet not supporting the triple talaq bill, says Ravi Shankar Prasad. This bill is not targeting any particular community, he said. He asked that the Supreme Court judgment said that triple talaq is termed as wrong in Islam, then how can it be considered right in the Indian law?

“This bill is in violation of our culture. In Islam, marriage is a contract. Talaq is a violation of the contract. But, sending the man to jail is wrong. It will abandon the women” said AIMIM’s Asaduddin Owaisi.

Congress MP Ranjeet Ranjan accused the BJP government of bringing the triple talaq bill for vote bank politics. She claimed that the Muslim community is not aware of the procedure set by their religion. "Won't you bring a law to protect Hindu women," she asked.

17:29 (IST)

'Govt should rather focus on women empowerment by bringing law against marital rape' says Supriya Sule

This Bill is for women who are not at the top of the pyramid, it is for women who do not know their rights. So is this the best we can do for them? Throwing their husbands in jail? Should we not stress on other similar women empowerment Bills like the ones about women's reservation in Parliament, marital rape etc., asked NCP MP Supriya Sule.

17:23 (IST)

'Why did Congress not abolish triple talaq during its rule?' asks Smriti Irani

Smriti Irani said that had the Congress not diluted the Supreme Court order in 1986 law and abolished triple talaq during its rule, Shayara Bano wouldn't have to knock the door of the Supreme Court.

Textile minister Smriti Irani said in the Parliament that it is shameful for everyone that 477 cases of triple talaq came to light after the supreme court verdict. She said that even the Islamic Jurisprudence also says that 'Talaq-e-Biddat' is a criminal offence.

"What is the hurry to bring up the Bill again so quickly? Don't criminalise a civil issue, CPM MP Mohammed Salim said in the Parliament. "This is a contract between two adults. This is a civil matter, don’t treat as a criminal one. This is one country, so the law should be one for everyone,” he said. "This is not an innocuous Bill - it is based on a wrong idea," he added.

BJP ally Shiv Sena's leader Arvind Ganpat Sawant said that his party will support the government if equality is maintained for all as he asked for extending the bill to Jammu and Kashmir. He also raised the issue of Ram temple and asked the BJP government to pay heed to the "nation's demand".

TDP MP from Guntur Jayadev Galla said that the government should focus more on saving the lives of men and women being lynched in the BP-governed states as he opposed the bill in its present form and sought changes in it. He also said that the triple talaq bill should be extended to the state of Jammu and Kashmir as well.

BJD MP Rabindra Kumar Jena said that there is no safeguard against the misuse of the triple talaq bill. "I can sense politics in this legislation,.. it has the potential to divide the society based on gender, Jena said.

16:07 (IST)

'Is there law in any other religion which sends a man to jail for 3 yrs for giving divorce?' asks Mallikarjun Kharge

Meanwhile, Congress MP Mallikarjun Kharge interjected during Naqvi's address and asked if there is any law in other religions that can send a man to 3 years in jail for giving divorce.

Congress buckled under the pressure of fanatics, didn't let a law be made against triple talaq, said BJP MP Mukhtar Abbas Naqvi. He said that just like the satipratha, triple talaq should be banned.

15:26 (IST)

AIADMK opposes triple talaq bill in present form

AIADMK MP A Anwhar Raajhaa said that the triple talaq bill is against the provisions of the Sharia law and that it will "only break ties than protect rights" of the Muslim women. Calling it a "direct infringement in the Muslim personal law", Raajhaa said that his party sought changes in the current bill.

"As per the new amendments that the government has introduced in the bill, a Muslim man can walk away with a diluted subsistence clause and escape a huge punishment or compensation that he is supposed to give his wife," Congress MP Sushmita Dev had said.

15:12 (IST)

Not He vs She debate, issue about humanitarian rights, says Meenakshi Lekhi

"I would like to ask those opposing the triple talaq bill here that in which suraa of the holy Quran is talaq-e-biddat mentioned? This is not a He vs She, these are issues of human rights violation, " Lekhi said.

15:03 (IST)

Triple talaq gives right to divorce only to men, says Meenakshi Lekhi

BJP MP Meenakshi Lekhi said irrespective of faith, women inherently do not want a divorce. "They want to lead a happy married life with their family. Be it a Christian, Hindu and Muslim women they mostly want to save their marriage. Men, on the other hand, have been seen to divorce women over most trivial cases. Hence, men cannot be given supreme right to summarily divorce his wife and abandon her," Lekhi said.

Sushmita Dev said that the clauses of the bill will not be able to claim sustenance on the ground. She pointed out that the women actually suffering from it should be given the right to file for divorce legally so that she can demand sustenance and proper rights. "The current law is not at all about empowering Muslim women, it is about penalising Muslim men," she said.

"Banning triple talaq will not solve Muslim women's problems, it will merely give her a criminal suit to fight as solace. She will not get subsistence while the man is in prison and it will not guarantee that she can get back with her husband just because triple talaq is outlawed," Congress leader Sushmita Dev said.

She said that Shah Bano and Shayra Bano are example that the man would simply give her a divorce under civil rules, return her Meher (dowry-like sum gifted at the time of marriage) and get rid of his responsibility.

14:40 (IST)

NK Premchandran says SC order asking govt to form bill not binding

Premchandran said that the Supreme Court order which asked government to promulgate a law is not binding because it was a one-judge's minority judgment.

14:34 (IST)

RSP leader NK Premchandran says Bill brought with ulterior motive

RSP leader NK Premchandran asserted that he strongly disagrees with the bill, stating that the government brought the bill with an ulterior motive. He said that Hindu or Christian civil laws don't have provision to make a family matter, a civil dispute a criminal offense. "Then why just Muslims are being targetted," he asked.

14:30 (IST)

20 Islamic nations banned triple talaq, why not us, asks Law minister

Ravi Shankar Prasad said, "20 Islamic nations have banned triple talaq, then why can't a secular nation like India? I request that this should not be looked through the prism of politics."

14:28 (IST)

Meawnhile, AIADMK leaders raise slogans on Cauvery issue

Tamil Nadu leaders sloganeer in the well on the Medakettu issue, even as the Speaker requests them to maintain peace.

14:26 (IST)

Lok Sabha begins debate on triple talaq amid din

Union Law Minister Ravi Shankar Prasad said that the Bill should be debated with an open mind, without mixing it with political interests. He moved the motion, officially starting the debate. However, not in the mood to debate, the Opposition members continued shouting and raising slogans in the House.

Earlier, when the Bill was taken up last week, Congress leader Mallikarjun Kharge had given repeated assurances to the Speaker that his party will participate in the debate peacefully, if the Bill was rescheduled to be taken up on 27 December.

Union Law and Justice minister Ravi Shankar Prasad today presented the Triple talag bill in Lok Sabha. He said that this bill is aimed at honestly alleviating the troubles of the Muslim women who constantly live under the threat of being instantly divorced by their husbands.

"This bill is not against any community, religion or belief. This bill is for the rights of women and about justice," Prasad said.

Congress leader in Lok Sabha, Mallikarjun Kharge said that this is a very important bill which needs detailed study. "It is also a constitutional matter. I request the bill be sent to joint select committee." Sudip Bandyopadhyay,of TMC also backed the Congress' demand stating that the bill be sent to joint select committee. "All Opposition is of the same opinion," Bandyopadhyay said.

14:12 (IST)

Union minister Narendra Singh Tomar urges MPs to debate bill

Union minister Narendra Singh Tomar has urged the House to participate in the debate, stating that the House can make up its mind on the issue after the Law Minister's reply.

14:02 (IST)

AIADMK MPs raise slogans over Cauvery water sharing issue

Lok Sabha speaker requests AIADMK MP P Veugopal to request his party colleagues to return to their seats. But AIADMK leaders continue to raise slogans.

14:01 (IST)

Lok Sabha reconvenes at 2 pm

13:51 (IST)

Speaker allots four hours' time for triple talaq debate

Considering the importance of the issue, Speaker Sumitra Mahajan has set aside four hours for the debate on Muslim Women (Protection of Rights on Marriage) Bill, 2018.

13:48 (IST)

Congress may demand to send bill to standing committee

According to media reports, the Congress party sources have said that the party will not support the triple talaq bill on the grounds that if the earning member of the family is jailed, he will not be able to provide for the woman and his children. The party has also objected to making triple talaq a criminal offense.

India Today TV reported that the party may demand that the bill be sent to the parliamentary standing committee for further review.

13:32 (IST)

Govt to deploys top ministers for triple talaq debate

Reports say that the BJP has decided to deploy its best speakers for the debate on the triple talaq bill. Union minister Smriti Irani and Mukhtar Abbas Naqvi are among the host of MPs from the Treasury benches to debate the issue.

Top Congress leaders are in a huddle over the triple talaq bill, which is likely to come up before the Lok Sabha today. The Congress party had rejected an earlier version of the bill and now it has said that the second draft too amounts to interference in religion. However, the final stand of the party will be known later when it reveals that whether or not it will support the Bill in the Upper House, where the BJP is short of majority.

Kerala MP Dr Shashi Tharoor drew attention to the Kerala floods, and noted the rescue efforts made by fishermen. He asked the Central government for a special rehabilitation package, but added that the National Disaster Relief Fund does not have long-term rehabilitation measures.

He said that the state government asked the Centre for 7,304 crores worth of aid, but only 100 crores have been provided.

"Please let us show the fishermen the solidarity that they showed those affected by the floods," he said

Sikh MLAs requested the House for two minutes of silence, in lieu of the anniversary of the day when the two sons of Sikh leader Guru Gobind Singh martyred themselves in the battle of December 1704 against the Mughals.

12:04 (IST)

Lok Sabha resumes amid ruckus

11:54 (IST)

On the schedule for Thursday: Lok Sabha

In Lok Sabha, the following bills are scheduled to be taken, as per the Revised List of Business.

Congress issued a whip to its Lok Sabha MPs to be present in the House today during the discussio on the Muslim Women (Protection of Rights on Marriage) Bill, 2018. On Tuesday, the BJP too had issued a similar order to its MPs asking them to be present in the House for the debate.

11:35 (IST)

'Nobody interested in running House': Rajya Sabha adjourned for day within minutes of convening

Rajya Sabha Chairman Venkaiah Naidu adjourned the House for the day after members began sloganeering in the House. The Chairman had denied a special notice for suspension of rules, following which some members started raising slogans.

Naidu, miffed at the behaviour, sat quietly as the MPs continued to shout, only reminding them that nothing will go on the record of the parliamentary proceedings. Moments later, he said that since nobody seems to be interested in working in the House, "I have no choice but to adjourn it."

11:29 (IST)

Mallikarjun Kharge says Congress will oppose triple talaq bill

“We will take part in the discussion and keep forward our opinion. We will appeal to the government that it should not interfere in a religious matter. Now whether they want to send it to the standing committee or not is up to them," Congress’ leader Mallikarjun Kharge told leaders outside Parliament.

Parliament Winter Session Latest updates: The Parliament on Thursday passed the Muslim Women (Protection of Rights on Marriage) Bill, commonly known as the triple talaq bill with 245 ayes as opposed to 11 noes. The house was adjourned till Friday.

With 238 ayes 238 and 12 noes, the triple talaq bill motion was adopted for consideration. Now, the voting for clause by clause consideration to be adopted is underway in the Parliament.

Congress leader Mallikarjun Kharge said that his party is staging a walkout from the Parliament amid the triple talaq bill debate. AIADMK floor leader also endorsed his views and staged a walkout. Thereafter, Speaker Sumitra Mahajan ordered for the lobbies to be cleared for voting on the motion.

Ravi Shankar Prasad asked that, "If Dowry law can be passed, why not Triple Talaq Bill. Prasad told the Lok Sabha that the bill has made the offence compoundable, meaning that the case can be withdrawn if the man and his estranged wife reach a compromise and that only the wife and her close relatives can file an FIR, ruling out the scope for any misuse.

“This bill is in violation of our culture. In Islam, marriage is a contract. Talaq is a violation of the contract. But, sending the man to jail is wrong. It will abandon the women” said AIMIM’s Asaduddin Owaisi.

Textile minister Smriti Irani said in the Parliament that it is shameful for everyone that 477 cases of triple talaq came to light after the supreme court verdict. She said that even the Islamic Jurisprudence also says that 'Talaq-e-Biddat' is a criminal offence

TDP MP from Guntur Jayadev Galla said that the government should focus more on saving the lives of men and women being lynched in the BP-governed states as he opposed the bill in its present form and sought changes in it. He also said that the triple talaq bill should be extended to the state of Jammu and Kashmir as well.

Congress buckled under the pressure of fanatics, didn't let a law be made against triple talaq, said BJP MP Mukhtar Abbas Naqvi. He said that just like the satipratha, triple talaq should be banned.

AIADMK MP A Anwhar Raajhaa said that the triple talaq bill is against the provisions of the Sharia law and that it will "only break ties than protect rights" of the Muslim women. Calling it a "direct infringement in the Muslim personal law", Raajhaa said that his party sought changes in the current bill.

BJP MP Meenakshi Lekhi said irrespective of faith, women inherently do not want divorce without a cause. "They want to lead a happy married life with their family. Be it a Christian, Hindu and Muslim women they mostly want to save their marriage. Men, on the other hand, have been seen to divorce women over most trivial cases. Hence, men cannot be given supreme right to summarily divorce his wife and abandon her," Lekhi said.

This government is speaking not just about women empowerment, it is speaking about women-led empowerment. 'We talk of making a marriage work, they talk of divorce,' Lekhi said adding that giving divorce is not a crime in itself, but something like triple talaq is frowned upon by Quran as well.

Ravi Shankar Prasad said, "20 Islamic nations have banned triple talaq, then why can't a secular nation like India? I request that this should not be looked through the prism of politics."

Congress leader in Lok Sabha, Mallikarjun Kharge said that this is a very important bill which needs detailed study. "It is also a constitutional matter. I request the bill be sent to joint select committee." Sudip Bandyopadhyay,of TMC also backed the Congress' demand stating that the bill be sent to joint select committee. "All Opposition is of the same opinion," Bandyopadhyay said.

Reports say that the BJP has decided to deploy its best speakers for the debate on the triple talaq bill. Union minister Smriti Irani and Mukhtar Abbas Naqvi are among the host of MPs from the Treasury benches to debate the issue.

Amid uproar in the Lower House, Sumitra Mahajan reminded Kharge of his previous statement in the House, when he assured that the Congress MPs will behave in Lok Sabha on Thursday, if the debate on triple talaq bill was rescheduled to that day. She said that she would allow Congress to bring up the issue of Rafale deal at 12 pm today as per the rules, but Zero Hour was not the time to take up such things. The Congress members, undettered, continued to protest loudly. Following this, she adjourned the House till 12 pm.

The politically sensitive bill which seeks to make the practice of instant triple talaq among Muslim men a penal offence will come up for discussion in Lok Sabha on Thursday. The Lok Sabha had last week on Thursday decided to take up the bill on December 27 after the Congress agreed to participate in the debate.

As the Muslim Women (Protection of Rights on Marriage) Bill, 2018, was taken up for consideration, Leader of the Congress in the House, Mallikarjun Kharge, had suggested it be taken up for discussion next week. Parliament is meeting on 27 December after a long weekend.

Parliamentary Affairs Minister Narendra Singh Tomar sought an assurance from the Opposition that it would allow discussion on the bill without disruption. The ruling BJP has issued whip to its MPs, asking them to ensure their presence in the House on Thursday.

Representational image. PTI

Tomar's deputy Vijay Goel said the government is committed to pass the bill, which will benefit millions of Muslim sisters. He added that the Congress has assured of its participation in the discussion without any disruption.

Earlier, Kharge had said in the Lower House, "I request you to take the bill on 27 December. We are all going to participate. Our party and other political parties are ready to discuss (the bill)."

Lok Sabha has been witnessing disruptions over a range of issues, including protests by the Congress, which is demanding a joint parliamentary committee probe on the Rafale deal.

The fresh Bill to make the practice of triple talaq among Muslims a penal offence was introduced in Lok Sabha on 17 December to replace an ordinance issued in September. Under the proposed law, giving instant triple talaq will be illegal and void, and will attract a jail term of three years for the husband. The fresh bill will supersede an earlier bill passed in the Lok Sabha and pending in the Rajya Sabha.

The earlier bill was approved by the Lower House. But amid opposition by some parties in the upper house, the government had then cleared some amendments, including introduction of a provision of bail, to make it more acceptable.

However, as the bill continued to face resistance in the Rajya Sabha, the government issued an ordinance in September, incorporating the amendments.

An ordinance has a life of six months. But from the day a session begins, it has to be replaced by a bill which should be passed by Parliament within 42 days (six weeks), else it lapses.
The government is at liberty to re-promulgate the ordinance if the bill fails to get through Parliament.

Introducing the bill, Law Minister Ravi Shankar Prasad said despite the Supreme Court striking down the practice of talaq-e-biddat (instant triple talaq), terming it unconstitutional, divorces in this form were taking place.

Citing details of instant triple talaq cases, the government had last week informed Lok Sabha that till now 430 incidents of triple talaq have come to the notice of the government through the media. Of these, 229 were reported before the Supreme Court judgment, while another 201 came to the notice after it. These cases were reported between the period of January 2017 and 13 September, 2018.

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